The Importance of Degrees of Freedom in Coaching and Training

In this episode, Alex Sarama interviews Javier Miller-Estrada to talk about the ecological approach to basketball performance. They discuss how this approach can be applied in various aspects of the game, including skill development, strength training, warm-ups, and injury rehabilitation. Javi emphasizes the importance of embracing the environment and the athlete as a unified system, rather than separating them. He also highlights the need for variability and adaptability in training to better prepare athletes for the dynamic nature of basketball. The conversation concludes with a discussion on integrating different practitioners within a basketball program to create a shared understanding and approach.

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Key Takeaways:

1:15 - Javier’s view of an ecological approach in basketball

7:55 - The importance and reward of being present as a coach

11:55 - Javier on how to use an ecological approach in strength and conditioning

16:00 - Knowing ones strengths and having a shared vision: integrating strength and conditioning with other departments

20:00 - Warmup question, how can we make this more alive?

26:36 - Rehabbing in context.

Article Mentioned:

Motor learning methods that induce high practice variability reduce kinematic and kinetic risk factors of non-contact ACL injury

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167945721000531

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Links:

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